Safe distance between the high voltage tower and the building

[h-badawy]

Dear experts

What is the safe distance between the high voltage electricity tower or electricity wires and residential buildings.



Thank you

 

[Ron]

Depends on where you are located and what codes prevail.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

As Ron says the minimum distance depends code requirements. There is much controversy about what is the long-term safe distance. The answer depends, in part on the voltage of the transmission lines (sometimes defined as 69 kilovolts, and higher - often on metal poles & towers).

For electrical safety (residents don't get shocked by induced currents when touching metal objects, like gutters and downspouts) distances up to 250 feet are recommended by some utilities.

Health effects caused by the electromagnetic field (EMF) caused by transmission lines may be possible, but have not been proven. Researchers who are concerned about this risk recommend distances of 700 feet to 1000 feet.

Since residential buildings include growing families with small children who are more at risk to health effects than adults, I suggest going with the 700 feet criteria, if at all possible.

Distribution lines (less than 69 kilovolts - typically on wood poles) are not as controversial.

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[miningman]

Sliderule , do you happen to know why wooden poles are les controversial??? I'm presently involved in a 69kV wooden pole installation and this is completely outside my area of expertise.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

miningman - The voltage of the system is what causes the health controversy, not the wood poles - the higher the voltage the stronger the EMF. The "tall" wooden poles needed for high voltage are not cost effective. Actually, wood pole structures has been used on some "lower" voltage transmission lines, say 115 kV.

For "talking purposes" it is common to associate wood poles with distribution lines and steel poles / towers with transmission lines.

For a 69 kV line, health concerns would be much reduced. Most of the controversy is associated with 230 kV, and higher.

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[h-badawy]

thanks Sliderule
i am concerning about ACI-code but any way i think 750 to 1000 feet (230 to 305 meter) is a long distance in my case i have two towers far from my building about 88 to 100 meter and the wire connected between them far from the building about 30 m , also i think the distance is function in the voltage and i think the electrical system is 400 kv


Thank you

 

[hokie66]

This is an area which ACI would stay out of, I think. Electricity and concrete are vastly different subjects. As SRE said, the health effects of living close to transmission lines is unproven, but I don't want to live close to them.

 

[Lomarandil]

SRE is on the right track to consider occupancy and long-term concerns. Don't neglect this.

Regarding short term safety, you might find some guidance in the RUS transmission line guide

http://www.rd.usda.gov/files/UEP_Bulletin_1724E-200.pdf

(it's been a while since I looked through it myself). That said, you also have to consider how far the conductor (power line) can swing under a heavy wind, which depends on span and line tension. So it's not cut and dried here either.